Light projecting surgical instrument



May 14, 1929. w. N. ALLYN LIGHT PROJECTING SURGICAL IN STRUMENT @do 7. w/f /wm Filed Sepi..

mw IIIIIIII www@ Patented May 14, 1929.

UNITED STATES WILLIMI N. ALLYN, F AUBURN, NEW YORK.

LIGHT PROJECTING SURGICAL INSTRUMENT.

Application tiled September This invention relates to a surgical instrunient adapted to be used by physicians, surireoua dentists and in analogous professions tor diagnostic purposes and involves the use o ot a relatively small but powerful electric lamp carried by an articulated arm in such i'ianner that the lamp*supporting` member' may be adjusted to any angle relatively to its adjacent member as may be most convcnient 'for entrance into various anatomical cavities tor thorough examination ot the inlerior and Walls thereof.

ln devices of this character it is, ot course, necessary to use conductors tor completinpr the lamp circuit trom the source ot supply to the lamp and that these conductors shall be continuous through the joint or joints oil: the articulated lampsupporting arm so as to provide the necessary continuous illlnnination troni the lamp.

The members ot the articulated arm includn ing the joint and lamp must ot necessity be extremely small and tree from any possi bility ot short circuits or leala-ges, particularly when brought into contact with inoistened parts of the anatomy.

rthe main object of the present invention is toj not only provide tor the angular adjustment ot the lamp-supportinn member to any angle relatively to its adjacent member through the medium ot the joint, but also to construct the joint in suoli manner that its relatively movable parts may torni electric conducting parts ot' the lamp circuit and 'thereby to maintain a closed circuit through the joint in all positions ot adjustment ot the lamp-supportin member without extending;I the toed ivire across the axis of the turning joint.

Another obj ect is to connect the articulated lampsupporting arm with a source ot electric energy such as a dry battery mounted within a suitz'ible container which serves as a l. andle by which the lampeupporting meniber oit the arm may be manipulated as desired. .in addition to its indejpiendent adjustment to diiii'erent angles relatively to the anis ot the lmndle and adjacent member ol the arm.

fr further object is to construct the 1nembers oi the arm in the torni ot metal tubes which serve the double purpose ot receiving,` and closing and concealing` the teed Wire trom the battery to the lamp and also :s a return conductor of the lamp circuit and at the same time to elctrically connect the inclosed sec- 19, 1927. serial No. 220,460.

tions oit the toed Wire to corresponding parts of the coupling joint so as to avoid theuextension of the `feed Wire across thc turning axis ot said joint While maintaining a closed circuit through the parts of the couplingr therebv reducing to a minimum the liability ot over/- straining or breaking the teed Wire sections 1n both members ot the lampsupportinrg arm.

Other objects and uses relating; to specific parts ot' the instrument will be brought out in the tollovvingr description.

In the drawings Figure l. is a side elevation el a surgical in* strument embodying the various :tea-tures oi. my invention. i

Figure 2 is an enlarged loniritiulinal sectional view taken on line 2-2, Figure l.

j Figure 3 is `an enlarged inner :tace viciv ot one ot the coupling members of the lampsupporting arm. i

F'gure 4 is an inner tace view of the other coupling member.

illustrated, the surgical instrument co1nprises a lamp-supporting arm im composed ot a plurality ot, in this instance two, tubular members -,.fand -3- and suitable coupling; sections si and -5- which are rigidly secured to the adjacentends ot their respective members --2 and 8- to form portions thereof and are coupled to- `Qether taco to tace in a manner presently described to permit relative turning` movement of `said members and coupling sections one upon tbe other. Y

Tie other end oit the member 2 is screwed or otherwise secured in a cci-aerial openingl in one end ot a couplingsection GM which is detachably connected to a companion couplingr section -7- on one end ot a battery case Am which is adapted to contain one or more dry battery cells, not necessary to herein, illustrate or describe e): cept that the lower end as fi-w of the case removable to permit the insertion and removal ot the dry batteries when desired, it being understood that the bottom section --o1v attached to the main body ot the case A- by means ot a bayonet loclr connection and is also provided. with a spring,` by which the batteries are pressed upwardly so as to brinaw the central terminal oil the upper cell into contact with one of the electric conductors missing` through the head @om and arm 2 5 The battery case #no4- and coupling secions -6- and -7 are quite similar to that shown in my Patent No. 1,516,133, November 18, 1924. n t

The present invention ymay be used in connection with any other suitable source of electric energy for supplying current to the lamp circuit.

As shown more clearly in Figure the outer end of the tubular'member 2 is 1ntegrally or otherwise secured rigidly to the periphery of the coupling section iwhich latter is provided in its outer end face with an rannular recess or socket -S- in which is inserted a cylindrical bushing -9- of 'insulating material. n U

vThis bushing -9- is seated at its inner end against an inner annular flange -10- on f the coupling section 4- while itsouter end face is lsubstantially flush with the corresponding end face of said section, said bushing being provided with a central opening -11- for receiving a metallic sleeve -12- having its-outer end provided with an annular lange -13 seating against the adjacent end face of the bushing -9 vvIn like manner the coupling 'section -5- is provided with-an annular recess -14- extending inw'ardly from its outer end face and forming an inner annular flange -15- which forms avseat for the inner end of a cylindrical bushing -16-'- of insulating material having its outer end face-substantially Hush with the adjacent end face of the section -5-. s

This bushing 1G- is also provided with a central opening -17 for receiving a metallic sleeve -18 similar to the sleeve 1Q- and having its outer end provided with an annular flange -19 abutting against the outer end faceof the bushing -16.

The central openings in the sleeves 12- and v-`18- serve to receive apivotal bolt -20- having its outer end flanged and engaged with the Youter end face of the sleeve ,-12- and' its other end threaded and engaged with internal threads in the sleeve --18- i v l Y y The bushings 9* and -17- serve to 1nsulate the corresponding sleeves -12- and 18.- from their respective coupling sections -4- and -5-, said sleeves --12 Y and 18- being-also spaced apart axially to allow the adjacent faces of the coupling sections -th and w-v-.to be drawn tightly into electrical contact with each other by the tightening of the bolt -20 and sleeve nut -eltthrough the r`medium of the insulating bushings -9- and -17-.

ln order to assure this electrical Contact between the coupling sections 4- and 5- the coupling section -5- is provided at one side of its axis with an axially extending socket 2l-.- in vwhich is placedV a metallic lball -22 and a coiled V,spring 123+ which latter serves to yieldingly hold the ball contact member -22- into electrical contact with the adjacent end face of the coupling section -4- while the outer end of the spring-QB- is in electrical contact with the outer end wall of the socket -21- thereby establishing electrical connection between the coupling sections -4- and -5- in addition to the direct contact of said sections with each other.

The coupling head -G- is provided with a central downwardly projecting internal boss Q4- having a socket -25- in its lower end for receiving an insulating bushing -26- which is held in place by a set screw M27", said insulating bushing 2(5- being extended below the lower end of the boss -2l-- so as to prevent electrical contact of said boss with the underlying terminal as as shown by dotted lines in Figure 2.

An electric conductor such as a feed wire -28-- extends entirely through the tubular member -2-, boss -Qlrand insulating bushings -9- and Q6- and has its lower end projected below the lowel` end of the bushing 26 and enlarged for contact with the battery terminal ot the, battery, not shown, when the coupling head (5- is placed in Operative position upon the case -A-.

' It is evident, however, that when the coupling head -G- is detached from its companion member -7- the contact of the lower end of t-he conductor -28- with the battery -bwill be broken thereby breaking the circuit to the lamp hereinafter described.

The portion of the conductor -28 passing through the tubular member nQ head -6- and boss -24- is insulated from those parts by a covering -Q8- ot insulating material to prevent leakage of the current to the surrounding metallic parts.

The extreme lower end of the conductor or feed wire -28- is, however, exposed tor contact with the terminal -bto establish electrical connection with the battery.

The upper end of' the `feed wire *28* is passed through a radial opening in the insulating bushing -9- in the coupling section 4- and contacts with the periphery ol the metallic sleeve -12- to establish electrical connection therewith.

The lamp-suj'iporting member --3- of the arm 1h is preferably composed of inner and outer tubular sections -Qland $30- of electric conducting metal, the section 29- being screwed or otherwise secured in an opening in the periphery of the coupling section -5- so as to project radially therefrom.

The inner end of the section -8()* is screwed or otherwise removably secured in the outer end of the section -29- and has its out-er end provided with a eo-axial opening for receiving a lamp socket 31- and an electric incandescent lamp -32- which is re- Cil lOl)

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movably secured in the lamp socket 3lin any well-known manner but is partially 1nclosed by the outer end of the section M30- for protection against breakage.

The inner end of the section -30 is provided with a socket 3B-- in Which is seat-- cd a bushing -34:- of insulating material.

A. similar bushing -l5- ot insulating material is secured in a socket Btiin the outer end oit the section -Q9m=in axially spaced relation relatively to the lliushing er- Eleparate electric conductors --ldand -38 are arranged lengthwise `Within and inclosed by their respective arm sections M29 and w30-- and are insulated therefrom by covers 1919- ot insulating material.

The inner ends oit the conducting` wire section -37 is passed through a radial. opening in the insulating section --Il9- to contact with the periphery ot the adjacent sleeve lil While the outer end ot the same Wire section extends slightly beyond the corresponding' end ot the insulating bushing -35- tor electrical.contact with the adjacent end ot the opposed co-axial. Wire section -3S- which. also extends slightly beyond the inner end ot the bushingl --39-.

rIhe outer end of the wire section 38m isv electrically connected to one side of the lilau ment -32- et the lamp -`-32-.

The other side olf said filament 3Q/- is electrically connected to the metallic portion ot the lamp socket -31 which, in turn, is in electrical connection. with the metallic section 30-.

The metallic sections 29- and --30- are in electrical connection with each other and with the coupling section -5- which in. turn is in electrical connection with the coupling section -4- and thence thii'oi'lgh the tubular member' 2 and head 6- With the metallic battery case Aiand thence through said case to the metallic shell ot the battery in a manner Well understood by those skilled in the art and as illustrated in my patent previously referred to.

The arm section wmay be turned to any angle about the axis ot the pivotal bolt --20H as indicated by the dotted circle in Figure l as may be required 'for Various diagnostic purposes and, by mounting the arm 'iidirectly upon the battery case in the manner described, it is evident that the lamp-supporting member may be turned laterally in any direction as may be required in various operations.

Operation.

lWhen the various parts ot the instrunient are assembled in the manner shown in lligure l the current from the battery Will pass through the Wires -QSM parts l.2, -18- and 20- and Wires 37M and m38- to one side ot the lamp filament and return through the metallic parts -31-, M230-, "29m, -5,-1l-, -2- and -6- to the battery case A- and thence to the other pole oft the battery through the metallic shell ot the battery which is then in electrical connection with the metallic case or handle A-.

It is also evident from the foregoing description that when the members -2- and w25-- o'l the arm 1-- are turned one upon the other the electrical connection through the coupling connecting said sections will be maintained by the contact oi' the adjacent ends of the metal sections wat and -5-- and alsoby the ball contact -2Q- `with the adjacent- :tace ot the section --ithereby avoiding1 the necessity ot carrying the 'leed Wire i'or the lamp circuit across the turning axis which not only avoids brealrages ot the ieed Wire and resultant short circuits but also assurer-i a uniform light Wi thout overstraining any of the parts ot the instrument when the lamp-supporting member is adjusted to various angles.

VVhon no current is required the lamp m32- may be removed 'from its socket-31* or the section -30- may be loosened or removed from its companion section m29n by simply uli-screwing it and `thereby breaking electrical contact between the adjacent ends oit the wire sections *3S- and -37-.

Or, it desired, the entire arm -lmay be disconnected from the battery case by simply uncoupling the section -6- from its companion section -7--.

What I claim is l. In a light-projecting sturgical instrument, tubular members pivotally connected for relative turning inoven'ient one upon the other and having their pivoted ends provided with cooperative electric contacts engaging cach other in all. positions ot relative adjustment, an electric lamp on one of the members and separate electric conductors Within said tubular members and electrically connected to their respective contacts, said conductors and contacts forming parts ot the lamp-circuit.

2. In a light proj acting instrument ot the character described, an articulated la nip-supporting arm having coupling members at the joint pivotally connected ior relative turning movement one upon the other and provided with electric contacts engaging each other in all positions oi adjustment, said contacts iorming parts oit' the lanip-circuit.

In a light projecting' instrument of the character described, an articulated lampsupporting arm comprising tubular members having coupling sections pivoted to each other to permit relative adjustment ot said niembers to different angles about the axis ot the pivot, said tubular members and coupling sections being made or' electric conducting material and forming part oit the lamp-cirbij lil() lll) cuit, the coupling members being provided lWith cooperative electric contacts engaging each other in'all positions of relative adjustment of said members, and separate electric conductors Within the tubular members and electrically connected to the contacts of their .respective coupling` sections ,and forming` parts of the lamp-circuit. Y Y

4. Inra lightprojecting instrument of `the character described, an articulated lamp-snpporting arm comprising tubular members oil electric conducting material having coupling sections pivotally connected to each other for relative'V turning movement about theaxis of the pivotand provided with cooperative contacts in electrical connection with thel tubu-A lar members, and separate electric conductors Within and insulated from the tubular members and electrically connected to the contact-S of their respective coupling sections.

5. A light projectingr instrument as in claim 4 in which one of the cooperative contacts are yieidingly held in engagement with the other contact.

6. A light projecting instrunient as in claim 4 in which one of the tubular members is provided with a detachable lamp-supporting section.

7. A light projecting instrument as in claim i in which one of the tubular members is made of separable parts, havia;l separable conductors therein adapted to make Contact with. each other when the parts are connected and to break Said contact when the parts are separated, one of the parts having means for supporting a lamp thereon.

In Witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand this 13th day of September 1927.

VILLIAM N. ALLYN. 

